Korda Krank

Hook patterns rarely get a backstory as clear-cut as the Korda Krank's. Designed by Tom Dove back in 2014, it was built around a specific idea: a hook shape that would literally 'crank' its way further in once it had taken an initial hold under pressure from a fighting fish, rather than just sitting static at whatever depth it first caught. More than a decade on, it's reportedly still Dove's own first choice of hook in most situations, which is about as strong an endorsement as a hook designer can give their own pattern.

The shape itself is genuinely distinctive once you've seen it next to a more traditional carp hook. It features an enormous gape paired with a fairly short, aggressively sweeping shank that curves round to a slightly in-turned eye. That in-turned effect isn't a separate design feature bolted on; it's a direct result of how the shank sweeps and curves on its way to the eye, which is part of what gives the Krank its unmistakable silhouette in the packet.

The point is where the clever bit of engineering really sits. It's slightly beaked and offset from the plane of the shank, and this offset shape is specifically what Korda say helps the hook 'Krank' its way in once it's gained that initial hold, working deeper rather than potentially pulling free. For anglers who've had hooks lose their hold mid-fight on more conventional patterns, the idea of a hook actively working itself in deeper under sustained pressure, rather than staying put or working loose, is an appealing one.

It's also worth noting that this isn't a theoretical design exercise. Korda point to the Krank's track record accounting for countless big carp both in the UK and abroad, and specifically mention it being used to land other species that fight considerably harder than king carp, including Siamese carp over 150lb caught in Thailand during filming of the Monster Carp television show. That's about as demanding a real-world test as a carp hook pattern is likely to face, and it speaks to the strength of the hook as much as the shape's effectiveness.

Despite the unusual, aggressive-looking shape, Korda are clear that the Krank doesn't require a complicated rig to perform. It's described as highly effective even with a simple knotless knot, which is reassuring for anglers who don't want to have to learn or tie a fiddly new rig just to get the benefit of the hook's shape. At the same time, it's versatile enough to handle more involved presentations too, and it's the pattern Tom Dove favours himself on his own Spinner Rig, showing it scales up to more technical setups when needed.

Every hook carries a micro barb, which Korda say is designed not to hinder penetration on the strike while still ensuring the hook stays properly in place once it's taken hold. For venues or personal preference requiring barbless fishing, Korda also produce a barbless version of the same pattern, so you're not forced to abandon the Krank shape if you fish barbless-only waters.

In terms of what's actually in the packet, the standard Krank comes in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, with ten hooks included per pack in either barbed or barbless guise. That's a sensible spread of sizes for most carp fishing situations, from smaller hookbaits and PVA bag work at the smaller end through to bigger single hookbaits and heavier rigs at size 2, though it's worth noting there's no option below size 10 or above size 2 in this particular pattern if your fishing calls for something outside that range.

It's also worth knowing that the standard Krank sits within a wider family of related patterns from Korda. The Krank X is a stepped-up, heavy-duty version built for very weedy, snaggy conditions or more extreme continental-style fishing where a tougher hook is needed. The Krank Choddy takes the same core shape but swaps to an out-turned eye, specifically to suit chod rig presentations. And the Kamakura Krank keeps the same proven shape but adds Korda's Kamakura sharpening process for an even finer, sharper point without the angler having to sharpen it by hand. Knowing this family exists means you're not limited to the standard Krank if your specific rig or venue calls for one of these variants instead.

For anglers who like the idea of a single, versatile hook pattern that can cover a genuinely wide spread of rigs, from the simplest knotless knot setup right through to more considered presentations, and who want a shape with a proven history of handling big, hard-fighting fish, the Korda Krank is well worth having in the tackle box. It's not trying to be the sharpest or the most technical hook on the market by default, but the shape itself, and the straightforward logic behind why it works, is what's kept it as a go-to pattern for well over a decade.